This is carsharing.

FAQ

Joining Modo

Be 19+ years of age or, if younger than 19, be a Green Member linked to a Member-Owner (Principal Member) that is 25+ years of age and has a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 BC driver’s licence;

Have an N licence or better or the equivalent from another jurisdiction (must be permitted to drive alone in the car), or have an L licence and be a Green Member linked to a Member-Owner (Principal Member) that is 25+ years of age and has a valid ICBC-issued Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 driver’s licence;

No at-fault accidents within the past two years at the time of joining;

No more than one at-fault accident within the past two years after joining;

No licence suspensions within the past two years; and

No more than two traffic violations in the past two years.

Drivers with a learner’s L license and drivers under 19 years of age with an N licence are eligible to join as a Green Member and must link their membership to a current Modo Plus Member that lives in the same physical household. Click here for more information.

Documentation Requirements

We also need to see, at a minimum, the last two years of BC driving and insurance claims history and/or driving history from outside BC, no matter where you held your license during those years, and/or whether you’ve driven, or insured a car, for two years or not.

Please choose the option below that describes the last two years of your driving history:

Register online if you are 19+ years of age and have an N licence or better

Choose between our Modo Plus or Monthly plans and then click the Join Modo button at the top of your screen to get started. It only takes a few minutes and requires a valid credit card*. Once you receive your vehicle access fob in the mail, you’re ready to go!

*Credit card must be in your name; prepaid or debit cards not accepted for online registration.

If you have a learner’s L licence or are under 19 years of age and have an N licence

Drivers with a learner’s L licence and drivers under the age of 19 with an N licence cannot use online registration.

You will need to come to a Modo office in Downtown Vancouver, Victoria or Kelowna with a Modo Plus member that lives in the same physical household and to whom your account will be linked (the Principal Member) to join as a Green Member. The Principal Member to whom the Green Member is linked must be 25+ years old and have a valid ICBC-issued Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 driver’s licence. You will need to jointly complete the Green Membership Application form.

Green Members are subject to a $2,500 Damage Fee, are not eligible to participate in Modo’s Damage Pool and are required to make a $1,500 Damage Deposit. The Damage Deposit to be paid by cash, debit card, electronic bill payment or certified cheque payable to Modo Co-operative. Non-certified cheques and credit cards are explicitly excluded.

The Principal Member is fully responsible for the Green Member’s obligations to Modo.

To join as a Business or Associate Member, contact us at info@modo.coop.

Or visit our office

If you’d rather register at our office in Downtown Vancouver, Victoria or Kelowna, just call our Member Care Team to schedule a brief orientation. Bring along your driver’s licence for verification, and if you’re signing up for a Monthly membership, please also bring a valid credit card (prepaid credit cards not accepted for registration).

For us to be able to process your application we will need to see the Drivers Abstract and Insurance Claims History from any jurisdiction you held a license within the past two years. After you have submitted all your necessary documentation, call or email us and we can typically have you set up and ready to go within a few days.

Vehicles and locations

Oversized and Premium vehicles cost more to operate, so we’ve priced them a bit higher than the rest of our fleet. Our oversized vehicles currently include our Ram ProMaster and Ford Econoline cargo vans. Premium vehicles are BMW and Lexus models.

Our available accessories vary from vehicle to vehicle. Some include Bluetooth, roof racks, backup cameras, Stow-N-Go seating, and winter tires. When booking a vehicle, you can filter by accessory to view your options.

All Modo vehicles, with the exception of the Fiat Abarth, the Scion FR-S and the Lexus IS200t, are winter ready and equipped with all-season Mud and Snow (M+S) tires. We currently have 100+ vehicles in the fleet outfitted with winter tires and 65+ vehicles with all-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

However, with the exception of baby seats, child seats, roof racks and bicycle racks, you must call and speak to Modo staff before you install any third-party equipment on a car. Trailers, hitches or other tow-enabling devices and tire chains are never allowed on any car.

You are liable if the rack or any gear on the rack damages the car, and for any harm caused by the poor or inadequate installation of baby and child seats.

By watching and listening. We use information like where our members live and work, and carefully follow the demand for shared vehicles throughout our service area. It all feeds into a mapping system that helps us decide on the next locations.

Booking a Modo vehicle

Making a booking is easy. You can book using our app, website or by phone.

Before you book, take a moment to plan the start and end times of your trip. Booking extra time at the end of your trip can help you avoid a late charge.

Log in with your member number or username. You can search available vehicles by location, neighbourhood or vehicle type. For quick and easy booking, you can set favourite locations near your home or your work.

Reserve the vehicle for the whole time you’ll have it, even overnight hours, so we know when the vehicle will be returned to its home location and become available for someone else to book.

Please note, statutory holidays that fall on weekdays are booked as weekdays, not weekends.

If the vehicle you want is available, you can book on the spot or up to a year in advance.

If you’re interested in a specific vehicle, advanced planning is always a good idea. For example, if you know you’ll need a cargo van next week to help your pal move, book it as soon as possible — especially for the first weekend of the month!

The minimum booking time is 30 minutes and bookings can be extended in 15 minute increments, subject to availability. Members can book online for a maximum duration of 10 days. If you would like to make a booking for more than 10 days, please contact us for assistance.

On the road with Modo

Yes. You are expected to perform a pre- and post-trip walk-around inspection to ensure the vehicle is in good condition.

If you spot any visible defects (e.g. dents, scratches, other damage) larger than a fob and not already marked with a sticker, or if any service icon appears on the vehicle’s dashboard, let us know right away—send a description and photo using our app or by email or call us—before you drive.

If you don’t tell us before you drive, you may be liable for the damage.

Yes. Modo is a two-way carshare and all of our vehicles have a home location. To end your trip, you have to return the car to its home location. See your confirmation email if you are uncertain about the home location.

If something is preventing you from returning the vehicle to its home location, like another vehicle parked in its spot, speak to contact us right away.

Don’t use the vehicle key or power locks. Always use your fob to lock and unlock the vehicle at any time—before, during or after your booking. Fobbing out secures the vehicle by disabling the engine. Always take your fob with you as vehicles may lock automatically.

The short answer is no. In case of an emergency, please call us as soon as possible.

There are two exceptions where you can share the driving:

Modo Plus members can add an Associate Member with a $250 share purchase. They can share driving and bookings. Note, the Modo Plus member is liable for any debts not paid by the Associate Member and vice versa. Contact Modo to learn more.

You can also add another Modo member as a driver on any single booking you make. Note, the booking will only appear on the account of the person who booked.

At Modo, members take responsibility for fuelling the vehicles. You don’t have to fill the tank after every trip, but always make an effort to ensure that the fuel tank is full for the next user at the end of your booking, and at a minimum ¼ full.

Please fill it up using the gas card provided in the vehicle.

Never fill up your Modo with diesel

Ending your booking with the gas tank at less than 1/4 full can result in a fine.

Always use the gas card at the pump—do not use it inside the station.

Currently our gas cards do not work at Husky, Mohawk or Co-op stations

If the fuel card doesn’t work, please call Modo to have the card reset and/or receive instructions on how to use the card.

If for some reason the fuel card still doesn’t work, buy gas with your own form of payment. Submit the receipt and we’ll credit your account.

Modo’s Fleet Team cleans our vehicles regularly — inside and out. We do require that you empty the vehicle of any garbage and personal items and make an extra effort to leave the vehicle clean for the next Member.

If you’ve had pets in the car, please do an extra sweep to make sure the car is left tidy. When using a Modo parked at a residential building, please respect their garbage and recycling rooms and avoid leaving a mess.

If you find a vehicle is dirty at the start of your booking, please report it immediately using our app or by sending an email to info@modo.coop. Please include the date and time of your booking along with a description of the mess and any supporting photos.

If you leave the vehicle dirty, you may be asked to clean the vehicle, be charged a cleaning fee and/or your carsharing privileges may be suspended.

Members are responsible for any metered or paid parking during their trip.

There are some areas in the Lower Mainland where Modo members can park without paying and without worry. However, these parking privileges vary by city, municipality and district. All our cargo vans and pick-up trucks have commercial parking permits.

We also have preferred parking spots at Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour, Tsawwassen Mills, IKEA Coquitlam and Richmond. Read more about Modo Parking Privileges.

Animals are allowed in all Modo Vehicles, except Allergen-Free Vehicles, and, with the exception of service dogs, must be inside a secured pet carrier for the entire trip. Members are responsible for cleaning any pet hair or other messes.

Animals are never allowed in designated Allergen-Free Vehicles. If you spot pet hair in a vehicle, be sure to report it right away by using our app or by email to info@modo.coop — and include photos, if possible.

Yes! You will need your fob in order to unlock and lock the vehicle. Always take your fob with you as vehicles may lock automatically. Check the vehicle door handle after fobbing out to ensure that it’s locked.

Step 3: If there are any witnesses to the collision, gather their names and contact information.

Step 4: Gather information about the collision scene including the date, time, and weather conditions; the location; the direction each vehicle was traveling; your vehicle in relation to the other vehicle(s).

Any damage you cause or discover bigger than your fob has to be reported. If the damage has a clear numbered sticker on it, it has already been reported.

To file a report you can call a Modo agent, leave a note under Vehicle Notes on your booking, use our app, or send an email to info@modo.coop. Photos are welcome! Unreported damage is investigated and can result in a requirement to pay repair costs.

We know accidents happen. That’s why every Modo driver gets full collision and comprehensive coverage. Modo’s fleet is insured up to $5 million under a Third-Party Liability policy from ICBC. And since we have a fleet plan through ICBC, we carry the insurance, not you.

In the event of damage to the Modo vehicle during your booking, qualifying Modo members pay a damage fee up to the first $1,000, depending on the extent of the damage. (Yes, that includes at-fault accidents, hit and run, vandalism and damage to the tires.) Green Members, members using a Member Eligibility Declaration form to demonstrate eligibility, and members who have been in an accident with a cost to Modo that exceeded $1,000 during the preceding two years, pay a damage fee up to the first $2,500.

Individual members who have been in an accident with a cost to Modo that exceeded $1,000 are required to make a damage deposit of $1,500. That deposit will be returned after two years of damage-free driving.

Read our Insurance FAQs below to find out how you can reduce your damage fee to $0.

In the event of an accident, qualifying Modo members pay a damage fee up to the first $1,000, depending on the extent of the damage. (Yes, that includes damage to the tires.) Green Members, members using a Member Eligibility Declaration form to demonstrate eligibility, and members who have been in an accident with a cost to Modo that exceeded $1,000 during the preceding two years, pay a damage fee up to the first $2,500. Learn how Modo’s Insurance works.

In the event of an accident, qualifying Modo members pay a damage fee up to the first $1,000. Green Members, members using a Member Eligibility Declaration form to demonstrate eligibility, and members who have been in an accident with a cost to Modo that exceeded $1,000 during the preceding two years, pay a damage fee up to the first $2,500. There are two options available for most individual members to avoid paying the damage fee:

Modo Damage Pool

Enrolling in the Modo Damage Pool reduces your damage fee to $0 should you be involved in an accident, including at-fault accidents. The Damage Pool is optional, and covers all Modo vehicles. Members must be enrolled in the Damage Pool prior to an accident.

The Damage Pool costs $50 annually (non-refundable) and expires after being used in the event of an accident. If you are in an accident whose cost to Modo was less than $1,000, then you can rejoin the Damage Pool for $50. If the cost to Modo was greater than $1,000, then you must wait two years before rejoining.

Business accounts, Green Members, members using a Member Eligibility Declaration form to demonstrate eligibility, and members who have been in an accident with a cost to Modo that exceeded $1,000 during the preceding two years, are not eligible to join the Damage Pool.

How to join: Login to your account at bookit.modo.coop and click My Account>Damage Pool/Coverage to sign up.

Collision Loss Damage Insurance (CLDI)

Reduce your damage fee to $0 by paying your Modo statements and/or invoices with a credit card that offers Collision Loss Damage Insurance (CLDI). The cost of damages is covered by the insurer. Please check with your credit card company if you qualify. CLDI does not cover trucks or cargo vans.

Please note: Individual members choose insurance options when signing up online and can adjust them under their Account Settings at their convenience.

If you get a speeding, parking or other traffic-related ticket, you have to pay for it. If the car is towed or impounded during your booking, you will have to pay for the cost incurred to recover it. Review Modo’s fines and fees online under Forms and Resources.

Modo Plus (shareholding) members can add an Associate Member with a $250 share purchase. They can share driving and bookings. Note, the Modo Plus member is liable for any debts not paid by the Associate Member and vice versa. Contact Modo to learn more.

Log in to your account and under Settings, click the Close Account tab and follow the instructions. Modo Plus shares are refunded within 90 days. If you paid your share purchase with a credit card, we can refund it back to the same card. For all other payment methods, we will issue a cheque which can be picked up at our office when it’s ready, or mailed to your address on file.

Monthly and Roaming

Log in to your account and under Settings, click the Close Account tab and follow the instructions. Monthly admin fees are pro-rated for the month you close your account.

Modo vehicles are insured for you to use the cars for any task. Some members use the vehicle mainly for work and claim the Modo invoices as a business expense. Home office consultants find Modo a great way to save overhead costs.

Yes. Our fleet insurance covers you to drive anywhere in Canada and the United States.

Here’s a useful tip: give yourself a bit of extra time before your trip to inspect your booked vehicle—inside and out. Remove any items that don’t belong to you or the Modo vehicle. That way, if you’re asked at the border, you can say with confidence that you know all the contents of the vehicle.

If you realize after the booking has ended that you left something in the vehicle, just make a new 30-minute booking and retrieve your goods. Just be certain not to drive the vehicle, or book it for longer than half an hour. If you do, it will be treated like a regular booking and you will incur a usage fee.

If you find someone else’s belongings in the vehicle, let us know and leave them there. The owner will be able to collect them after your booking is completed.

Open Return

Modo has two Return Options to choose from for Daily Drive and Premium vehicles. Select Set Return if you know your end time. If you’re unsure of your end time, Open Return allows you to use the car for as long as you like, and pay only for what you use.

A Set Return booking is great for when you know how long you’ll need the vehicle and when you’ll be returning it. This was the only return option prior to the launch of Open Return. Simply select your return time while making your booking. Of course, you ca09n always choose to extend your booking if the vehicle isn’t in use by another member. Late fees will apply to this type of booking if you do not extend and return it after your Set Return time. Cancellation fees may also apply.

With Open Return there’s no need to set your return time in advance. Book our Daily Drive or Premium vehicles and use them for as long as you like, up to 24 hours. When you’re done, simply end your booking and return the vehicle, and only pay for the time you have used, plus a $3 Open Return fee.

When you select Open Return, Modo’s booking system will automatically default the booking End time to 24-hours from the Start time, or less in the event of a subsequent booking already made by another member. Note that you can choose to shorten the booking by changing the defaulted End time to a time of your choosing. Open Return bookings are not subject to cancellation fees! Just remember that you need to end the booking when you’re done with the vehicle, or the booking will continue and you will be charged for its full duration. Fobbing out will not end the booking.

A key benefit to using Modo is access to our diverse fleet of vehicles. Members come to rely on the ability to book larger and specialty vehicles for trips that require them. However proportionately, we have much fewer of these vehicles than we do in our Daily Drive category which supports the majority of trip types, so we’ve excluded the Large & Loadables from Open Return, to ensure they are available when you need them most.

We don’t think so. Here’s why we’re confident any impact will be minimal:

Members using Open Return have a significant motivation to end their booking when they are done with the car, and not keep it for 24 hours, to keep the time charge as low as possible.

Members have always been able to book longer than they need, even by days, without penalty if the booking is canceled within 12 hours of the start time; meaning the fleet has always looked artificially booked to some extent and this hasn’t posed a problem. Because of this ability to cancel a Set Return, bookings made 4-12 hours in advance will be the ones most affected by Open Return, however, over the years, our members have been increasingly making far more last-minute bookings than advanced ones.

We’ve restricted the use of Open Returns to Daily Drives, which make up the majority of our fleet, and are more often booked last minute.

We’ve excluded Large & Loadables and Oversized vehicles from Open Returns, as there are fewer of these specialty vehicles in our fleet, and members tend to book them in advance of their trip.

While we don’t believe any neighbourhoods will experience artificial availability issues, including those with fewer cars, if this proves to be a problem we have the technical ability to restrict specific cars/neighbourhoods from Open Returns and/or add more cars if usage is higher than expected

Most importantly, we chose to launch Open Return in January, as the early winter months – historically with the highest vehicle availability and lowest usage – gives us the opportunity to evaluate the impact and address any unforeseen issues.